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Westchester Homeless Vets Number At 'Functional Zero,' Astorino Says

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. — County Executive Rob Astorino touted the success of the Westchester Patriot Housing Initiative in a press conference held yesterday.

From left to right: Douglas Ferguson; Karl Bertrand, County Executive Rob Astorino; Carrie Mobley-Johnson, and Yorktown Senator Terrence Murphy at a press conference yesterday touting the Westchester Patriot Housing Initiative.

From left to right: Douglas Ferguson; Karl Bertrand, County Executive Rob Astorino; Carrie Mobley-Johnson, and Yorktown Senator Terrence Murphy at a press conference yesterday touting the Westchester Patriot Housing Initiative.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Since the program launched in August 2013, over 300 homeless veterans have found permanent housing, and Astorino announced that the number of veterans on Westchester County streets was at 'functional zero,' meaning that no known veterans are homeless.

“I can’t think of any achievement that I am more proud of than this one,” said Astorino. “Our veterans have always been there for us, and we need to be there for them if the need ever arises and we are doing just that.”

A total of 329 veterans have been housed in two years, with eight veterans in temporary shelters.

One of those veterans in permanent housing is Air Force vet Douglas Ferguson, who attended the press conference. Ferguson was able to enroll in Westchester Community College's culinary arts program and now works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Montrose, preparing meals.

Astorino noted that anyone aware of a veteran recently homeless and living on the street should contact the 24-hour VA hotline at 1-877-4AIDVET (1-877-424-3838). 

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